raw beet slaw

This is the beet salad I mentioned in yesterday’s post.  Warning…it is highly addictive!

raw beet slaw

Beets are on my “Superfood List” because of their phytonutrient called betalains.  This phytonutrient is essential for the detoxification process and quenches inflammation in the body.  Research is showing that these powerful red pigments may also slow tumor growth…exciting stuff!   Beets are also great for pregnant women thanks to the B vitamins and iron essential to cell development and replenishing the body!

All the nutrition facts aside, beets just make you feel vibrant and alive!  In the Yogic world beets are said to support the first chakra or the “root” chakra, which keeps us grounded, energized and secure.  The root chakra is red, and beets are a red root…maybe there’s a connection here?

My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me.  She is studying nutrition at Bauman College in Northern California.  Once again, I modified the recipe a tad and this is what I came up with…

 raw beet slaw

Raw Beet Slaw

2 raw beets, shredded (I used a mandolin)

2 carrots, grated

1 apple, diced

2 scallions, chopped

½ cup pecans

½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut flakes

juice of 1 orange

juice of 1 lemon

drizzle of olive oil

salt to taste

raw beet slaw

Mix all the ingredients up in a large bowl, chill for at least an hour (if you can wait that long, I couldn’t) to let flavors blend.

Raw Beet Slaw

Enjoy!

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

purple powerhouses

purple cabbage

In a salad rut?  Try adding purple cabbage to add crunch and color!

According the U.S. Department of Agriculture red/purple cabbage contains 36 different varieties of anthocyanins, a class of flavonoids that have been linked to cancer protection.  Anthocyanins are the purple pigments found in foods such cabbage, blueberries and grapes.  Not only do these purple powerhouses fight cancer they also improve heart health and brain function.  1 cup of cabbage also provides 85% of your daily vitamin C needs.  The health benefits of purple cabbage are more potent when eaten raw so it’s best to add to salads or chopped up and used for slaw.

Edamame Apple Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing

Ingredients:

2 cups purple cabbage, shredded

1 cup mixed salad greens

1 cup steamed edamame, shelled and cooled

1 cup carrot, shredded

½ gala apple, cubed

1/2 avocado

IMAG0341

Dressing:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 lemon, juiced

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

-Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.

-Wisk together dressing and drizzle over salad.

-Top with sliced avocado.

-Enjoy!

Voila!

Voila!

A sweet and savory salad that is bursting with flavor and flavonoids!

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